RAND PAUL LAYS 2016 GROUNDWORK: Sen. Rand Paul hasn’t said whether he will run for president in 2016—but his aggressive groundwork seems to be answering that question for him. In recent weeks, the Kentucky Republican announced political hires in quick succession in three states key to winning the GOP presidential nomination. His staffers mention a future campaign headquarters in Louisville and tout an email list of one million supporters—details most potential presidential hopefuls keep quiet. Today, Mr. Paul begins a three-day, 10-stop swing through Iowa, marking his 10th visit this cycle to one of the first three states on the traditional nominating calendar.

European Pressphoto Agency

As a central figure in the tea-party movement, Mr. Paul has to prove that he has broad national support. The senator has raised $7.8 million in the past 18 months through three accounts, including a super PAC run by his supporters—$3.3 million of which has been spent on fundraising and consulting. And a Paul strategist in New Hampshire says he is doing “intel work,” gathering information about the environment and political players that could translate into a statewide campaign. Beth Reinhard and Rebecca Ballhaus report.

WSJ STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISSDIVIDES IN GAZA LEADERSHIP HAMPER LASTING TRUCE: As the fighting in Gaza nears the one-month mark, the fragmented Islamist leadership of the Gaza Strip has emerged as a serious obstacle to forging a lasting cease-fire, U.S., Arab and Israeli officials say. Hamas, the faction which rules the Gaza Strip, has separate political and military wings. That, combined with its shifting relationships with other Islamist factions and with its regional patrons such as Iran, raises questions about the likelihood of a truce anytime soon. Jay Solomon and Nicholas Casey report.

Associated Press

‘DR. NO’ FIGHTS TO KEEP HOUSE SEAT: The House’s “Dr. No” is trying to persuade Michigan voters to say yes to his re-election campaign. Republican Rep. Justin Amash, a libertarian-leaning congressman, says he doesn’t deserve the nickname, given by detractors critical of his lack of support for the GOP establishment. On Tuesday, Mr. Amash will face a businessman and former local school-board member who has racked up endorsements from the Chamber of Commerce, the state’s leading antiabortion group and the farm lobby. Matthew Dolan reports.

Reuters

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED:Election rules in Kansas and Arizona are set to bar thousands of people in coming weeks from casting ballots in state primaries, even as the federal government allows some of them to vote in congressional races. Kansas and Arizona say the federal registration process doesn’t rigorously check citizenship, so they have established their own verification systems and are barring people who register with the federal system from voting this month for such offices as governor and local posts. Mark Peters reports.

SEIB VIDEO: WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO BEFORE THE MIDTERMS?
What lawmakers hear from constituents during the August recess about three subjects–immigration, Obamacare and gridlock in Congress–could determine how eager they’ll be to tackle these issues before the midterm elections, Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Seib explains.

WHAT WE’RE READING AROUND THE WEBPresident Obama, in an interview with The Economist in which he discussed U.S. foreign policy, said that although Russian President Vladimir Putin “represents a deep strain in Russia” that’s troublesome abroad in the short term, it’s important to keep perspective: “Russia doesn’t make anything. Immigrants aren’t rushing to Moscow in search of opportunity…And so we have to respond with resolve in what are effectively regional challenges that Russia presents. We have to make sure that they don’t escalate … And as long as we do that, then I think history is on our side.”

Former Ambassador Michael McFaultells The New Yorker editor David Remnick he doesn’t believe Putin will change course in Ukraine and doesn’t see U.S.-Russia relations improving until after Putin retires. But in the long run, he says, he’s very optimistic about Russia and Russians. “In my two years as Ambassador, I just met too many young, smart, talented people who want to be connected to the world, not isolated from it.”

Former congressman Steve LaTourette writes on Politico that the most important political battle being waged today is over who controls the Republican Party: the grifting wing or the governing wing. “The grifting wing of the party promises that you can have ideological purit—that you don’t have to compromise—and, of course, all you have to do is send them money to make it happen,” he writes.

Bloomberg’s Al Hunt writes the letterhe says Democrats anxious about the midterms and despondent over President Obama might write to the president. Among the suggestions they’d have for the president: Remove “fatalism” from your rhetoric and mindset, trumpet the economy, take the offensive against Putin more, and broaden your circle of advisers.

In WSJ’s Think Tank, Brian Katulis writes that only a small part of the shifting dynamics in the Middle East are a consequence of U.S. policy errors. “Nearly all of what’s happening stems from the region’s own political, social and demographic problems and its vacuum of leadership. Those issues aren’t going away anytime soon.”

FEEDBACK: Welcome to the new Capital Journal Daybreak newsletter, the Journal’s morning rundown of the biggest news stories and exclusive features from Washington on politics, policy, financial regulation, defense and more. Send your tips, feedback and suggestions for recommended reading to editor Kate Milani at kate.milani@wsj.com.

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.